Page 21 of The Starlit City (The Shifting Fae 2)

Going back to my seat, I kept my gaze on the human, eyeing her and how she stared back. Her big blue eyes were curious, but her expression showed nothing else. I’d need to be careful in how I played this game with her.

Curling up into the chair, she rested against the back of it, closing her eyes.

Was she really going to sleep with me right here? Even if I didn’t have my magic, she saw how I handled those mountain cats. I was still a threat. Wasn’t I?

Taking another drink, I thought about her abilities and what they could do. I’d never encountered anyone with magic like hers. It was both protective and offensive, almost as if that blue light was an extension of her, and maybe it was.

The alcohol warmed my belly and for the first time in years, I actually relaxed. Watching the flames, I yearned to feel my own fire. I hated having this dampener on. There was nothing worse than having as much power as I did and not be able to use any of it.

During our hike, I thought about the queen and what Kelia had told me about the dark fae’s predicament. The magi were fools to trust my queen. Not only was Queen Merelda tricky and capricious, but everything she did had a purpose and it was always to protect the Underground. Calling me out of prison meant things were bad, and a desperate queen is not what I wanted to deal with.

Soft snores poured out of Kelia, the human passed out from exhaustion. I went and took the plate from her hands before it crashed on the floor. Her hands were cold and she curled more into herself, making her seem fragile when she was anything but that.

Putting the plate on the counter, I searched the bedrooms for a blanket. Taking a soft wool one, I placed it around Kelia, draping it across her body.

If I wanted to, I could kill her, and part of me argued that this might be the only opportunity to do so.

A horrible thought, but a possibility. My hands would be around her neck and before she could lasso me to death, I could break her and be free, though I wouldn’t get far with this collar, and I had no idea where she had put the key. And of course, there was the fact that we were up in a remote area and I had no idea how to escape and the entire Magi Council would be after me if I killed one of their own.

She moaned and her brow furrowed as she tugged the blanket around herself, her hand brushing up against mine. Tingling warmth spread up my arm and I groaned, moving away from the sleeping human.

It didn’t matter what I thought or wanted. I’d never kill someone while they slept, a coward move, no matter if that meant my freedom.

Tonight, I would let her sleep.

Tomorrow, the games would begin.

Kelia had us on the road before sunrise and when that beautiful orange orb crested the horizon, she coincidentally called for a quick water break. If she stopped for my benefit, I had no complaints. Resting against the slate gray rock, I gazed out over the lands below us. Slowly, the world woke with a warm glow that sent a calming through my body. Squinting at the fire like tones spreading across the grass and mountains, I smiled into that warm gaze, letting the light lift the heaviness that had been on my shoulders since the day I had been imprisoned. No matter what happened next, this moment was worth it.

The next time we stopped, it was at a fork in the path, one winding down the mountain on the other side. Kelia looked at the scroll before rolling it back up. “If we hurry, we can reach the settlement near the river by nightfall.”

“Then let’s hurry.”

And so, we did, quiet, distant, me thinking about last night.

Did I miss my chance of freedom? No, I couldn’t do anything that stupid.

Kelia hiked in front of me, following George down the rocky and steep trail. A few times we were close to the edge and my heart raced in fear of her slipping. I didn’t think the magi would be happy if one of their prime prospects died in a gorge.

While we walked, I thought more on this prodigal child. Our queen wasn’t one to make bargains with the surface races often, and never at the expense of one of our own. Darkthings didn’t venture into the Underground. No one knew why, but we assumed the life tree’s roots, where life crystals sprouted, which ran across the long cavern walls, kept the darkthings away. The crystals being one of the few elements in the world able to combat the shadow magic. Something must have changed in my time away, but what? What would be so dire that our queen would call for me? I couldn’t stop thinking about it. By the time the sun had set, we made it down the side of the mountain to the settlement. Lantern light flickered from the windows of the thatched huts clustered together. If we we’re lucky, we’d be able to find some type of inn, but it didn’t seem like a large enough establishment for that.

“What’s our plan?” I asked.

“This is where we let George go back home. We should be able to find shelter tonight and then leave for the river in the morning.”

Kelia grabbed her bag and bedroll from George, I did the same.

“Thank you, George, you may return home.” She patted the goat on the head before giving him a little smack on the butt. “Go.”

With a bleat, our guide trotted away.

“Will he be all right?” The goat seemed a good enough beast. I didn’t want the poor thing getting eaten on his way home. I’d grown rather fond of our traveling companion.

“Yes. This is his job.” Kelia watched George for a few more moments before turning toward the settlement.

I wondered how often this secluded community received guests, and if they were hospitable. Not that I worried about our safety, Kelia could handle a few farmers, and I would thoroughly enjoy watching her do so.

We passed a long building with an image of a beer stein etched into the door. No matter who Kelia was, I was a dark fae. My presence would make anyone uncomfortable. “Do you think it’s wise to stay here?”

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